Buster Posey's health the best development of spring camp for San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey runs to first base on a ground out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 28, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants might have found a future leadoff hitter and a long-term solution at shortstop during their 44 days in Scottsdale, but this spring will be remembered for what they didn't find with Buster Posey.

There were no significant bumps or bruises, no limps or unscheduled days off. No setbacks of any kind.

"Everything is normal," the franchise catcher said.

Posey looked that way while hitting .306, catching 49 innings and doing everything from handling a play at home plate to scoring from second on a hard-hit single.

"We thought he would be fine, and he hasn't had any hiccups in his rehab," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Buster is coming through all the stuff we put him through. He's not showing any ill effects of the injury.

"We think he really is back to where he was."

The health of Posey's surgically repaired ankle was the story from the first day of camp, but after he emphatically overcame every challenge, the only question now is whether he can return to his Rookie of the Year level of production.

The Giants intend to push him back to that level.

"He's going to do the lion's share of the catching," Bochy said. "I don't know how many games. I think we can answer that a little better as we get into the season. He'll be our starting catcher, and occasionally he'll play first base to keep his bat in there.

"We'll keep an eye on him."

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The Giants also kept a watchful eye on closer Brian Wilson, who pitched only twice after Aug. 15 last season because of elbow inflammation. But like Posey, Wilson checked off every box on the spring rehab list.

He made back-to-back appearances for the first time last week and is scheduled to throw in two of this week's Bay Bridge Series games.

From Posey's ankle all the way down to Ryan Vogelsong's back, the Giants are mostly happy with the way players have recovered from injuries. Only Freddy Sanchez is dealing with a significant setback, but Bochy said Sanchez has had a good week of rehab as he continues to work his way back from last August's shoulder surgery.

"We've had some good things happen there," Bochy said of the club's health. "Knock on wood, we're going to go into this (season) healthy for the most part."

As the Giants try to find some health at the plate, they might hand significant playing time over to the surprise of camp, Gregor Blanco.

The speedy outfielder was the MVP of the Venezuelan winter league and never slowed down, stealing an MLB-leading 12 bases and winning a roster spot early in camp.

Bochy hasn't ruled out giving Blanco a starting role and using him at the top of the lineup, a possibility that has increased because of Nate Schierholtz's struggles.

With Blanco, Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera, the Giants believe their offense and defense will be much improved this season.

"Those guys are going to be key," right-hander Matt Cain said. "We did some upgrading. We'll have that little extra bit in the lineup."

Brandon Crawford should help in that regard, as well. Long known for his glove, the 25-year-old shortstop made some swing adjustments and hit .340 with three homers and 13 RBIs.

But for as many questions as the Giants have answered, just as many remain.

Off the field, Cain, a pending free agent, remains unsigned. And as they try to get the roster down to 25, Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean are undecided about what to do with Brandon Belt and Hector Sanchez, a couple of impressive young hitters who had monster springs.

The Giants also need to choose a backup catcher. While Sanchez has worked his way into the mix with a .390 average and improvements behind the plate, the decision probably will come down to veterans Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart, who have gone back and forth all spring.

Then there's Barry Zito, who came into camp with a new "crouched" pitching delivery but was still making tweaks Sunday morning, just hours before the Giants got on a plane home.

"He was a little more upright today," Bochy said. "It went OK."

Zito will return to Arizona on Wednesday to pitch five innings in a minor league game. With Vogelsong slated to miss his first start and a lack of pitching depth in the minors, the Giants need Zito to find a potential fix, and they need him to find it soon.

Buster Posey: Catcher has said and shown that he's nearly 100 percent.Brian Wilson: Closer is fully recovered from elbow inflammationSpeed: The offense should have a new dimension thanks to Angel Pagan, Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco.

Questions the Giants are still waiting to answer

Matt Cain: Can the Giants sign him to extension before agreed-upon opening day deadline?Brandon Belt: Hit .379 this spring but still could be ticketed for Triple-A Fresno.Barry Zito: Can he find a solution after pitching just 5﻿2/3 innings and giving up 10 runs over his last two starts?